Poker punch-up nets probation

Talk about a sore loser.
An Edmonton poker player was fined $750 and put on probation for a year yesterday after pleading guilty to assault for punching a fellow casino card player in the face after the man beat him for a large pot with a better hand.

Hon Van Tran, 34, was also banned from going to any casino during his 12 months of probation.

"Your way of handling disappointment at the poker table is not appropriate," said provincial court Judge Larry Anderson, noting Tran had a previous assault on his record.

Crown prosecutor Jennifer Mos told court the April 15 punch-up happened at the Yellowhead Casino, 12464 153 St., following an altercation in the poker room.


"At some point the complainant beat the accused in a large hand which upset the accused," said Mos.

She said words were exchanged and Tran called the victim outside, after making a phone call saying he needed help. Once outside the casino, Tran punched the man in the face. Then, another man jumped in and hit the victim with a beer bottle.

A third man tried to pull the scrappers apart and had his $750 prescription glasses broken. Eventually security stopped the brawl and called police.

Defence lawyer Andrew Fong denied anyone else involved in the fight was an associate of Tran's, and said Tran was tackled by the victim following the punch and also ended up being kicked in the head.

Fong also told the judge the victim had earlier challenged Tran to a fight after he had lost a big poker pot.

Edmonton Sun

News Added: 09 July, 2008

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